Digital Cameras: Know anything about them?

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

COLONEL MUSTARD ALERT!!! THORN


I am in the market to buy a good (read decent, but NOT expensive) digital camera to document my daughter's softball team and their season. My goal is to take the pictures at the end of the season to create a DVD movie for each player, to remember their team, their teammates, the games, the practices, etc. Can you give me your opinions, or any advice?

This is the one I am considering:

http://i.walmart.com/i/p/00/04/17/78/84/0004177884001_215X215.jpg (http://javascript<b></b>:photo_opener('http://i.walmart.com/i/p/00/04/17/78/84/0004177884001_500X500.jpg&product_id=4104480','/catalog/detail.gsp','1','false','','0');)
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=710 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=ModuleHeader1gray>Item Description - Cost: $118.76 was $127.84</TD></TR><TR><TD style="BACKGROUND: #333">http://www.walmart.com/i/if/spacer.gif</TD></TR><TR><TD height=10></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD rowSpan=2>http://www.walmart.com/i/if/spacer.gif</TD><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=600 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=ItemPgParagraph>Affordable quality with great ease-of-use is what makes this Kodak model a standout. 3.1 MP resolution and a 3x optical zoom; on-camera cropping feature helps you get exactly the details you want as you compose your shot. And when a still photo just won't do, you can even shoot short videos to capture the action.

A full-featured camera for all types of picture taking and sharing
Compact design with a brushed satin silver finish
QVGA video capture at 20 fps (frames per second)
13 scene modes, and 3 color modes
1.5-inch indoor/outdoor TFT LCD
Auto picture rotation
On-camera cropping
3x optical zoom; 5x digital zoom
Works with optional EasyShare Printer Dock Series 3 and EasyShare Camera Dock Series 3
Still capture modes: auto, SCN, sport, landscape, close-up
Scene modes: auto, portrait, sport, landscape, close-up, night portrait, snow, beach, self-portrait, party, fireworks, backlight, children
Color modes: color, sepia, black and white
Burst modes: 1.8 fps, maximum 3 images
Click to capture: 0.68 seconds (preview on), 0.75 seconds (preview off)
Shot to shot: 1.5 seconds (wide preview ON, buffer not full), 7.7 seconds (wide preview ON, buffer full)
Video mode: continuous MPEG-4 compressed video with audio recording during video capture
Video resolution: QVGA (320 240 pixels) at 20 fps
Focus range: 2 ft to infinity
Ease of use features: on-camera cropping; 8-level zoom and moveable crop window; auto picture rotation
Built-in flash auto, red-eye reduction, fill, off
Self-timer 10 seconds, 2 seconds
PICTBRIDGE enabled: yes
Storage: 16 MB internal memory, SD/MMC card expansion slot
Dimensions: 3.6"W x 2.6"H x 1.4"D
Weight without batteries: 5.6 oz
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[Native American]

Looks like a good one. 3Mpixel is a good size. $120 is a fair price. I'm guessing the unit is powered by 2 penlight cells, which is nice and cheap (buy 4 NiCd batteries and a charger) and preferable to a custom NiCd battery pack) and probably comes with decent photo album software, which is a fairly important consideration.

Yes, there are smaller units (Canon makes some, and they'll fit in a shirt pocket, which the one you're looking at won't) but they cost quite a bit more, so if money is an object (and it usually is!) I'd say you're looking at a pretty decent unit, Homes.

I own a couple of the little Canons I referred to, and they'll fit nicely in a pocket so you can always have them handy, but they also cost a couple hundred more each. I'd say that Kodak is a good pick, Homes.

[Beowulf]

I went to school for the old style stuff, 35MM, and won't give it up! Developing film is fun when I get the chance and I've always felt that what I put on film is better than digital.

Still, I'm looking for a basic one myself for putting things quickly on the web or something but when it comes to my wildlife photography and the like, it'll be done the way I learned years ago.

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

Beo, I figure with the digital I can see right away if the shot is a keeper or not. With action shots, you never know if they're really going to look like you thought you actually got. I have an Olympus 35mm, that I simply WILL NOT part with ... my Daddy got it for me when he was overseas, and I will cherish it even when it doesn't work anymore. It takes GREAT shots, but as I said, I figure the digital will be good for the season. I want to make something really good for the girls to remember their softball season. This is my daughters first try at an organized sport (well, she played a season of soccer when she was an itty-bitt, but doesn't remember it, and a season of Pray-N-Play, but that was casual, not competitive). With her being homeschooled, and unfortunately uncoordinated like her Mama, she hasn't had a good opportunity to experience stuff like this. I think making a DVD for the team is a great way to bring the team together.

[Native American]

I went to school for the old style stuff, 35MM, and won't give it up! Developing film is fun when I get the chance and I've always felt that what I put on film is better than digital.

While I can personally neither confirm nor deny what you say (although I know a 3 or 4 meg digital isn't the match for 35mm in terms of resolution) my brother-in-law is a professional photographer who owns many VERY nice 35mm and (even nicer!) 120 mm cameras. But he himself has now gone largely digital. He's talking SLR digital, of course, not the point-and-shoot stuff like I own and that Homes is looking at. And he says the high-resolution digitals (let's say 8Mpixel and up) are better in terms of resolution than 35mm.

Plus they've got all the advantages that Homes mentioned - instant feedback, easy "developing" and editing, etc.

So that's the feedback from a professional photographer, for what it's worth....

[Native American]

BTW, Homes - if you bump up to a 4Mpixel or 5Mpixel unit (they're not too much more expensive) you will be able to see the increase in resolution over a 3Mpixel unit. But that's basically only true for prints larger than 5" x 7" or so, or for very large emailed pics. For standard emailed pics or pics on a web page, you basically won't be able to see the difference between a 3Mpixel unit and a higher-resolution model.

It sounds like for what you want to do, that's a very decent unit you're looking at, especially since cost is a factor.

[BEST45CAL]

I am in the market to buy a good (read decent, but NOT expensive) digital camera to document my daughter's softball team and their season. My goal is to take the pictures at the end of the season to create a DVD movie for each player, to remember their team, their teammates, the games, the practices, etc. Can you give me your opinions, or any advice?

This is the one I am considering:

http://i.walmart.com/i/p/00/04/17/78/84/0004177884001_215X215.jpg (http://javascript<b></b>:photo_opener('http://i.walmart.com/i/p/00/04/17/78/84/0004177884001_500X500.jpg&product_id=4104480','/catalog/detail.gsp','1','false','','0');)
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=710 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=ModuleHeader1gray>Item Description - Cost: $118.76 was $127.84</TD></TR><TR><TD style="BACKGROUND: #333">http://www.walmart.com/i/if/spacer.gif</TD></TR><TR><TD height=10></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD rowSpan=2>http://www.walmart.com/i/if/spacer.gif</TD><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=600 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=ItemPgParagraph>Affordable quality with great ease-of-use is what makes this Kodak model a standout. 3.1 MP resolution and a 3x optical zoom; on-camera cropping feature helps you get exactly the details you want as you compose your shot. And when a still photo just won't do, you can even shoot short videos to capture the action.

A full-featured camera for all types of picture taking and sharing
Compact design with a brushed satin silver finish
QVGA video capture at 20 fps (frames per second)
13 scene modes, and 3 color modes
1.5-inch indoor/outdoor TFT LCD
Auto picture rotation
On-camera cropping
3x optical zoom; 5x digital zoom
Works with optional EasyShare Printer Dock Series 3 and EasyShare Camera Dock Series 3
Still capture modes: auto, SCN, sport, landscape, close-up
Scene modes: auto, portrait, sport, landscape, close-up, night portrait, snow, beach, self-portrait, party, fireworks, backlight, children
Color modes: color, sepia, black and white
Burst modes: 1.8 fps, maximum 3 images
Click to capture: 0.68 seconds (preview on), 0.75 seconds (preview off)
Shot to shot: 1.5 seconds (wide preview ON, buffer not full), 7.7 seconds (wide preview ON, buffer full)
Video mode: continuous MPEG-4 compressed video with audio recording during video capture
Video resolution: QVGA (320 240 pixels) at 20 fps
Focus range: 2 ft to infinity
Ease of use features: on-camera cropping; 8-level zoom and moveable crop window; auto picture rotation
Built-in flash auto, red-eye reduction, fill, off
Self-timer 10 seconds, 2 seconds
PICTBRIDGE enabled: yes
Storage: 16 MB internal memory, SD/MMC card expansion slot
Dimensions: 3.6"W x 2.6"H x 1.4"D
Weight without batteries: 5.6 oz
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It looks like an excellent starter camera for the price. I think you would be doing really well if you got it, but you will probably need to expand the memory.

If you're using a 3.1mp camera, you'll find out in a hurry that 16mb of internal memory ain't enough storage. If you only want to take pictures, go with at least a 128mb SD card. Just remember that when it comes to memory cards, the bigger, the better.

The bigger memory cards will enable you to take longer videos, too.

I also own a couple of 35mm cameras, too. The Minolta Maxxum 7000 (with the crossed X's) and a Canon Rebel (the original). They both work extremely well even now after all of these years. I recently sold a Nikon N2000...prolly shoulda kept that one.

However, I have switched to mostly digital these days, primarily because film developing is getting really expensive, plus you don't throw out a bunch of prints.

I have also owned many digital cameras over the years, too. My latest one is the Canon PowerShot S1IS. It is 3.2mp, but makes excellent 4x6 prints and videos with a 2gb CF memory card.

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

It looks like an excellent starter camera for the price. I think you would be doing really well if you got it, but you will probably need to expand the memory.

If you're using a 3.1mp camera, you'll find out in a hurry that 16mb of internal memory ain't enough storage. If you only want to take pictures, go with at least a 128mb SD card. Just remember that when it comes to memory cards, the bigger, the better.

The bigger memory cards will enable you to take longer videos, too.

Wow, thanks BEST .... I'm not real familiar with the memory card thingy, is 128mb an expensive thing? How big do they go, I wonder? Glad I knew this before I bought that camera tomorrow, I would have never thought to get that!

[BEST45CAL]

Wow, thanks BEST .... I'm not real familiar with the memory card thingy, is 128mb an expensive thing? How big do they go, I wonder? Glad I knew this before I bought that camera tomorrow, I would have never thought to get that!

The 128mb SD cards are relatively inexpensive. I usually buy my memory cards from eBay, but other electronic places are selling them for really decent prices now.

You can get a really gigantic (storage wise) 1gb SD card for about $66 at WalMart. I'm sure that the 128mb SD cards are much less than that.

Update: WalMart also has a 128mb SD card for about $15. That's what I'd call a good price. If you can find one cheaper, GET IT. lol

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

The 128mb SD cards are relatively inexpensive. I usually buy my memory cards from eBay, but other electronic places are selling them for really decent prices now.

You can get a really gigantic (storage wise) 1gb SD card for about $66 at WalMart. I'm sure that the 128mb SD cards are much less than that.

Thanks again, BEST, you probably saved me some large measure of frustration when I go to take pictures at practice next Tuesday evening, LOL. Hope I'm not forgetting anything else, :smirky:

[BEST45CAL]

Thanks again, BEST, you probably saved me some large measure of frustration when I go to take pictures at practice next Tuesday evening, LOL. Hope I'm not forgetting anything else, :smirky:

You're welcome, Homes.

I think we all gave you some great advice.

Nice work, guys. :thumb:

[Naturalized-Texan]

That camera is an upgrade from the one I bought a year ago - Kodak CX7330 (http://www.kodak.com/global/en/service/products/ekn029310.jhtml?pq-path=2308) - for $149.95. It's a great little camera and it takes great pictures. One of my son's has one and I saw at least 2 people on the cruise we took in December with that same camera. The thing I like about it is that I can just stick it in my pocket. I use a 512MB memory card which holds over 500 pictures.

The only drawback with mine is the relatively short range of the flash. That may or may not be a problem with yours. Also, I found that my hands aren't steady enough to take pictures using the night setting. It worked on that setting just fine with a tripod. If you're taking daytime pictures or under the lights at a softball game, it should be fine.

I wish that I could show you the cruise pictures. They look great.

I would say, go for it. It's a great deal at that price.

[Beowulf]

NA, both my cameras are older model SLR's and I love em' dearly. I have seen some rather nice SLR outfits that have a disk to which you can just download it to your computer. Now THAT is something I want. I would have the best of both worlds!

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

I think we all gave you some great advice.

Yes, indeed. Thank you all :thumb:

I'll be sure to post some shots, and y'all tell me what you think (just don't go critiquing my photography abilities, LOL)

[ThomasIsUnderrated]

Did you already buy it? If not, I'd suggest the Kodak Easy Share C340. It's only a little bit more, and it's 5 megapixels.

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

Did you already buy it? If not, I'd suggest the Kodak Easy Share C340. It's only a little bit more, and it's 5 megapixels.

Do the megapixel thingies really make all that much difference? I'll have to see if Walmart carries that one and how much it is. If I have to buy a memory card thing plus the camera and batteries (or anything else) I may not be able to afford a more expensive camera (depending upon how much more). I know the one I posted is currently on sale, so I'm not sure if any others are -- but I will certainly check it out! Thanks so much, Thomas!

EDIT: Wouldn't you know it, my Walmart location is sold out of those! Shoot! Here's the link to it Kodak 5 MP EasyShare C340 Zoom Digital Camera - Wal-Mart (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3932484) I wonder if the superstore near me carries it, hmmmmm.

[BEST45CAL]

Do the megapixel thingies really make all that much difference? I'll have to see if Walmart carries that one and how much it is. If I have to buy a memory card thing plus the camera and batteries (or anything else) I may not be able to afford a more expensive camera (depending upon how much more). I know the one I posted is currently on sale, so I'm not sure if any others are -- but I will certainly check it out! Thanks so much, Thomas!

EDIT: Wouldn't you know it, my Walmart location is sold out of those! Shoot! Here's the link to it Kodak 5 MP EasyShare C340 Zoom Digital Camera - Wal-Mart (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3932484) I wonder if the superstore near me carries it, hmmmmm.

I'd keep trying. Sometimes, they roll back in because people online will load up their shopping carts and then at the last minute decide not to buy or their credit cards get rejected.

[BEST45CAL]

I like this one, too. I like the 3 interest free payments of $66.66, too. (http://www.shopnbc.com/product/?familyid=E6063&storeid=1&track=122&taxid=122&propid=262)

http://a1708.g.akamai.net/7/1708/110/AH063217062039/www.shopnbc.com/media/products/E/E6063_400.jpg

[SunnyBrook]

Anytime I buy something like this, I Google the name of the item plus the word rebates. I was able to get my dig cam for a song by doing this. I ditto the suggested memory upgrade. I have a couple of large SD cards for mine--perfect for capturing short video clips at the kid's ball games.

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

Anytime I buy something like this, I Google the name of the item plus the word rebates. I was able to get my dig cam for a song by doing this. I ditto the suggested memory upgrade. I have a couple of large SD cards for mine--perfect for capturing short video clips at the kid's ball games.

Thanks Sunny, I hadn't thought of that either! Glad I have such a TERRIFIC back-up/support system!
Blessings,
Hms

[DoctorDoom]

Do the megapixel thingies really make all that much difference?For the average user, 3.1 MP is more than sufficient. It allows a maximum image resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels. If you don't need that much, and don't intend to blow up the pix, drop the resolution to 1024 x 768, which allows more pictures on the memory card.

The larger resolution is useful if your zoom doesn't frame the shot as tightly as you want. In the graphics program, you can crop to the desired framing without losing as much detail. And, higher-MP counts allow larger print sizes.

Two considerations:

• The digital zoom should be avoided except when a closer shot is more important than image quality. It works by electronically cropping the CCD image and using resampling algorithms to create new pixels to expand the image to the standard size. The result is an unavoidable loss of detail. It might be acceptable, but it's less than ideal.

• For cells (incorrectly called batteries), don't use alkaline cells except in an emergency. Most cameras eat them like popcorn. NiCad cells are much better, but the "memory effect" limits their usefulness.

I'd strongly recommend NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) (http://www.thomas-distributing.com/aa-nimh-batteries.php) cells. They're not ideal, but they deliver as much as 30% more usage than NiCads and don't have the memory effect. Their downside is price.

If you go that route, also get a charger (http://www.thomas-distributing.com/nimh-aa-aaa-battery-chargers.php) made for NiMH cells. I use this one (http://www.thomas-distributing.com/mhc401fs.htm), but it's a matter of preference.


I can't find any reviews on the Web for the CD33. It may be too new. It looks like a good point-and-shoot camera for non-critical use.

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

For the average user, 3.1 MP is more than sufficient. It allows a maximum image resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels. If you don't need that much, and don't intend to blow up the pix, drop the resolution to 1024 x 768, which allows more pictures on the memory card.

The larger resolution is useful if your zoom doesn't frame the shot as tightly as you want. In the graphics program, you can crop to the desired framing without losing as much detail. And, higher-MP counts allow larger print sizes.

That helps ALOT Doc! What I want to do is combine all the pictures using my movie making software to create a DVD keepsake for each of the girls (teammates). Of course I can't make it to look "good" on everybody's TV, but I can do the best I can. My telly is a 21". I've made a few of these "movies" using my software and the current pics I have and they all look pretty good.

Of course I would be using the camera for more than that, but that is what has motivated me to buy one. We have a digital camcorder thingy that we got for my son for Christmas 2 years ago, but I don't know what's wrong with it -- or probably the real reason is, I don't know how to work it and he won't let me mess with it, :smirky: . I'm a hands-on kinda gal, if I have a piece of equipment I play with it extensively to figure out all the "goodies."

Anyway, ALL the advice, help and support is GREATLY appreciated! Freecers are the BEST!

[BEST45CAL]

Some pics from my Canon S1IS at Photobucket (http://photobucket.com/albums/d41/Tuck35/?action=view&current=IMG_0356.jpg)

[bannerman]

NA, both my cameras are older model SLR's and I love em' dearly. I have seen some rather nice SLR outfits that have a disk to which you can just download it to your computer. Now THAT is something I want. I would have the best of both worlds!




http://www.leica-camera.com/digitalekameras/dlux2/tecdat/index_e.html



I just used mine.brand new two days ago to photgraph a client whos now immortalized as a juggler on his companies current postcard promotional

http://www.leica-camera.com/digitalekameras/dlux2/highlights/index_e.html

http://westworldwide.us/L1000030.JPG

the url just above is a test shot

its a 17 mb image

[Beowulf]

Looks pretty neat, Bannerman. Thanks.

[bannerman]

Looks pretty neat, Bannerman. Thanks.

youre welcome and thanks fo a peek at the gallery

i just got the surprise of the week

I downlaoded one file in the adobe raw format shot using the wide angle.. and it weighed in at a whopping 121 MGB

im gonna have to invest in several cases of dvds at this rate

a truck in my parking lot was casting a purple light through a tinted window onto the wet ashphalt ..

having never seen the combination of light and texture before,, i simply popped the lens cap and took a rapid rather unstudied shot of it.

the stradi cam feature on this thing is not to be trifled with

i have trie unsucessfully NOT to get a clear photo and failed miserabley

i moved the camera set at a fairly fast shutter speed.. at arms length with the INTENTION of overiding the optional steadicam feature, and was stunned that i could not intoduce any signifigant "jitter"into the resultant shot.

and..this thing is small enough to fit into the inside suit coat pocket

just the thing for us infidel spy types

[Rhino]

The digital zoom should be avoided except when a closer shot is more important than image quality. It works by electronically cropping the CCD image and using resampling algorithms to create new pixels to expand the image to the standard size. The result is an unavoidable loss of detail. It might be acceptable, but it's less than ideal.Agree 100%. Digital zoom is useless and should be avoided. The problem with many of these cameras that combine optical and digital zoom is that it's hard to tell where the optical zoom stops and the digital zoom starts.

I personally have always liked the Olympus cameras, though I haven't looked at them lately. I have one of their earlier digital models, 1.2 megapixel I think.

I have an old manually operated Olympus OM-1N film camera that I refuse to part with. It was the very first compact SLR produced in any quantity, as was the industry standard for years. I simply can't do the stuff with the new automatic cameras that I can with that old manual version. I haven't developed my own film in years, though I always thought it was fun.